Nice vs. Not-So-Nice: Riviera Musts and Busts

They say the French Riviera is pure magic, and for the most part, I’d have to agree. But as it goes with any highly romanticized place, there are the postcards... and then there’s reality.

Ruhl Plage, Nice, France

This past September, I got a brief taste of both the Nice vs Not-So-Nice sides of the French Riviera during a quick 3-day trip from Florence to Nice, France and Monaco. Here’s my breakdown of what was worth it—and what wasn’t—in this coveted coastal corner of southern France.

The Nice List: Riviera Musts

Parasailing in Paradise

If you’re going to splurge on any activity in Nice, make it this. We booked a parasailing adventure through GetYourGuide, and it became my favorite part of the whole trip. Our guide and his son took us (and two friendly Brits) out on their boat through the iconic crystal blue waters. The turquoise coastline from above, the laughter of strangers turned fast friends, and the thrill of floating mid-air made it standout as my personal highlight of the trip.

Side note: Since we were traveling in a trio and the sail seats a duo, the boat driver let Elise go twice (s/o Elise!). So if you're lucky, you might get double the bang for your buck like she did.

Parasailing along the French Riviera

Cross-Cultural Café Charm

Our first morning started out at a local café where the espresso was strong and the language barrier was even stronger. With none of us fluent in French, I leaned on my Italian and my friend (s/o Kira!) flexed her Spanish in a lighthearted attempt to order. It was a hilarious, happy mess—and showed us that there are many French people who beat the stereotypes set against their kind personalities.

Reminder! When traveling to France, keep in mind that some language barrier issues may come up. Of the places that I traveled, Nice was one of these places. Don't let it discourage you, and don't let it damper your experience!

Wandering + Window Shopping

Nice is a shopper’s dream—in a local, unique, French fashion kind of way. Think charming boutiques tucked into the winding streets of the Old Town, lavender soaps and Provencal linens spilling out of stalls, and breezy summer dresses in every shade of citrus. We wandered down Avenue Jean Médecin (Nice’s main commercial strip), stopping at stores, grabbing snacks, and admiring the way style seems to just come naturally here. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s nice to just roam and gather inspiration.

Apollo Statue

Pebble Beaches + Plane Spotting

The afternoon in Nice is perfect for relaxation. We grabbed beach snacks from a local grocery store and set up picnic on the iconic pebble beach for a few hours of sun and sea. The water was refreshing (not too cool yet), the atmosphere relaxed, and every so often, a plane would swoop across the coastline, low enough to make us marvel. The beach is also the perfect place to have your picturesque dinner dream with the iconic riviera striped umbrellas in the background.

Morning Hike to Château Hill

On our last morning (while my friends slept) I laced up and climbed up to the top of Parc de la Colline du Château. It’s that hill with a waterfall that you can spot from the beach (which is where I got the idea from) and yes, the view from the top is every bit as beautiful as you'd imagine. Watching the sunrise light up the coastline from that height felt like uncovering a secret side of Nice: quiet, golden, and all mine.

Pro tip: If you try hiking at the earliest hour (as I did), you might luck out & get to take in the view all for yourself! As the day goes on, more tourists make the trek, so the earlier you go, the better. Just don't go before the sun comes up, as the loop might still be locked.

View from Château Hill

The Not-So-Nice List: Riviera Busts

Monaco: Pretty, but Pointless?

Don’t get me wrong, Monaco is beautiful, and it's another country to check off your bucket-list! The lines of yachts parked in the port, the iconic Casino de Monte-Carlo, and the Prince's Palace all deliver on luxury. But after about two hours of wandering and a sweet treat refuel at Steak 'n Shake (sticking to our strict spendings), we were... kinda over it. It's tiny, it's pricey, and it doesn't offer much to do unless you're dressed to impress and ready to drop major money at the casino. Perhaps I'd have a different opinion if I returned in twenty years with savings and a suitcase instead of a budget and a backpack.

Port Hercules, Monaco

The WiFi Woes of Monaco

Speaking of Monaco—be warned: your phone might ghost you. Monaco runs on its own private network, and both my friends' Verizon and my eSIM struggled to connect. Cue the wandering-around-aimlessly part of the day, which makes it a tricky destination for digital navigation. Maybe it was user error, but I'd advise saving any crucial information (train times, tickets, etc.) in an internet-lessly accessible location.

Missed Nightlife (Regretfully)

After our long, full day of exploration in Nice, we grabbed a late dinner at Ruhl Plage (hello again, striped umbrellas and oceanfront dining!) and wandered around for a bit afterwards, gelato in hand. We decided to call it an early night, and while it felt right at the time, I do wish we had pushed ourselves to go out. From what I've heard, Nice has a lively nightlife scene, and in retrospect, a bit of late night shenanigans might've topped off the trip nicely.

Lesson learned? Never say no to a night out in Nice!

Dinner at Ruhl Plage

Final Takeaways

If you're a student who's balling on a budget, don't expect your visit to these places to be jam-packed or mind-blowing (unless you have the savings to spend). The convenience of traveling to Nice and Monaco from Florence is hard to beat, though. Plus, it is still a relaxing getaway, and an easy way to see two countries in one weekend!

Would I go back to the French Riviera? Duh! Just maybe give me a twinge of time to make some money so that I can really roll with the rich.